Pedal for Diepsloot

It has been a long journey from humble beginnings when he was first discovered by Simon Nash at the Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy, and his persistence and dedication to his dream has finally came to life, to be part of a national team.

Shaun Peschl of Peschlsports said he had been following the young star’s progress for the past two seasons.

“It was clear to me that William is a hard working individual and over the last few months he has really stepped it up,” said Peschl. “I believe much of his success is a result of the support structure around him, and the positivity of his friends and mentors such as André Ross, chairperson of the Diepsloot Academy, which have been walking this road with him.”

Mokgopo has represented South Africa on three occasions in the past eight months, first at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships then the African Continental Mountain Bike Championships, and most recently at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

“With more than half the season still ahead of us, we will be working hard to improve his national and international rankings,” said Peschl.

The team’s immediate plans are to take Mokgopo to the German Mountain Bike World Cup at the end of May as preparation for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Norway later this year.

In-between races Mokgopo is pursuing a sport science degree at the University of Pretoria.

“I am truly humbled and honoured to finally be recognised as a pro-athlete,” Mokgopo said.

“And not with any team, but with the only UCI registered Olympic Cross-Country team in the country. This adds to my belief that anything and everything is possible with hard work, focus, and people who believe in you.”

He also continues to pay credit to the Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy, where he started biking not so long ago.